Angling is more popular than ever and it’s great to have youngsters taking up the sport and bringing me their photos. Keep them coming.

Here are just a few of the catches.

Lee Tate from Ormskirk caught his personal best fish - a 20lb 4oz mirror carp from Hurlston Hall. Andy Johnson from Birkdale used luncheon meat and caught his best fish - a 15lb 3oz common carp from Stoat Hall Farm.

Rufford’s James Conway (62) caught 39 bream from the Rufford Canal all over 3lb to give him an estimated weight of well over 100lb. He used double caster and sweetcorn over his grounbait mix.

Gordon Burton visited Sephton Farm and used halibut pellets on the feeder and splasher to catch 90lb of carp.

This week is the first £1000 qualifier at Skelmersdale’s Firswood fishery. The top four will go through to the final. Last year I was lucky enough to win but the competition is tough with top matchmen entering. Still, I’ll give it a good go.

Still a few qualifying places left. Contact Keith on 07980 972307.

Also this Sunday is the Tight Lines-sponsored West Point Angling Club match with more than £1000 in prizes, including a 17.5 metre pole for the winner.

Other places fishing well are Lathom Fisheries (pellets best) and Mescar in Lydiate.

One to try is Drummersdale near the Martin Inn at Scarisbrick. Large carp on pellet, boilies and corn. Paste good on pole.

Mere Lane fishery, next to Bannister House, is also fishing well. Good tench and carp to pellet and paste. Maggot for silver fish.

Bannister House excellent on paste, corn and pellet for carp, tench, barbel and bream.

Croston’s Twin Lakes fishing well on caster and maggot for skimmers and roach. Day ticket on bank or Southport AC card.

Canals on top form for bream, tench, roach and perch on caster, bread and corn. Carp to more than 20lb to boilies from the Saracen’s Head to Moss Lane.

Sea Angling

Southport Anglers enjoyed a trip to Anglesey to fish the Holyhead breakwater. Lots of fish were caught - and some huge spider crabs.